Lightning arrester, alternate deflector type



NOV. 16, 1943. ROLOSON LIGHTNING ARRESTER, ALTERNATE DEFLECTOR TYPE Filed Jan. 3, 1942 M05 2 l8 QLE NB. Emma.

Patented Nov. 16, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I LIGHTNING ARRESTER, ALTERNATE DEFLECTOB TYPE Glenn B. Roloson, (Jrestone, Colo. Application January '3, 1942, Serial No. 425,510

(Granted under the actor March a. 1883, as amended April so, 1928; 370 0. 6,751)

Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of.

the United States for governmental purposes without the payment to me of any royalty thereon in accordance with the provisions of the act of April 30, 1928 (Ch. '460, 45 State. L. 467).

My invention pertains to lightning arresters for the prevention of interruptions to service and damage to connected apparatus due to surges produced by lightning orother causes.

The function of lightning arresters connected to electric transmissionand distribution lines are, as known in the art, first; to discharge heavy -surge currents produced by lightning or other thatthe" gas flow will sometimes parallel the arc flow andthereby havelittle destructive effect upon the arc; In some prior art-instances efforts have been made to conflnethe gas flow tothe arc path but in structures attempting to accom- Broadly, the invention comprises a di-electric tubular structure [0 of fiber, solid boric acid or other material capable of evolving a considerable amount of substantially non-ionized gas when subjected 'to the heat of an electric discharge or arc in close proximity therewith, the tubular plish such efiects the gas passageways are so re- A stricted or the gas flow so hampered as to cause a bursting of the arrester.

The present invention aims to provide an arrester having ample passageway for the non-destructive flow of the gases and yet provide for controlling the gas flow to insure an interception of all are paths thereby.

The foregoingand other objects'of the inven-,

tion will become apparent from a reading of the following speci cation and appended claims.

.Certain embodiments having the characteristics of my invention and'by which the same may be practiced are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in'which:

Figure 1 is an elevatlonal view of the assembled I arr-ester;

Figure 2. a section in elevation ofthe arrester shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3, an exploded view of the elements of the arrester; and V Figures 4. 5 and 6, cross sectional views taken along lines 4-4, 5-5 and 6-6, respectively, of

Figure 1.

structure having protuberances H and HA staggered alternately on opposite sides of the inner walls thereof and forming a sinuous gas fiow passageway I2 repetitiously and progressively intercepting the axis of the tubular structure, a di-electric tube l3 of similar gas evolving qualities, the inner walls of which form a gas producing chamber M communicating with the sinuous passageway, an auxiliary electrode l5 intermediate the gas chamber and sinuous passageway, an end electrode I6 a portion of which extends into communication with the chamber in space discharge relation to the auxiliary electrode. another electrode I1 in space discharge relation to the auxiliary electrode and in communication with the passageway, and a housing l.8.of fiber, plastic, glass or other material having suitable insulating characteristics, strength and weather resisting qualities, surrounding the assembled structure heretofore described.

The protuberances II and HA terminate short of the axis of the tubular structure 10, thus providing an unrestricted arc passageway axially of the tubular structure. adjacent to-and-fro portions of the sinuous gas passageway merge suflioiently along the axis of the tubular structure 10 as to provide an unrestricted arc' passageway axially of the tubular structure.

That portion of the end electrode l6 which communicates with the gas chamber I4 is preferably beveled so as to place its extremity immediately adjacent the wall of the gas chamber. The auxiliary electrode [5 is similarly beveled at its opposite ends and is provided with a centrally disposed passageway, one face of which is inclined to serve as a deflector for gases passing therethrough and to direct the same against the foremost-surface of the first protuberance l IA of the members forming the sinuous passageway 12.

The auxiliary electrode I5 is also provided, for

mounting purposes, with an annular flange I5A whereby the electrode may be held in position between thetube l3 and the tubular structure iii.-

The electrode I1 is vented for the escape of gases from the arrester and is preferably mounted at p the exit of the passageway. The innermost end of the electrode I! may also be beveled for the purposes given hereinbefore with respect to the From another viewpoint,

electrodes l5 and IS. The electrode I! may also include a cap portion whereby the lower ends of the tubular structure In and housing l8 may be received thereby for retaining purposes.

The arc path between the electrode l5 and the vented electrode I1 is substantially in a plane through the axis of the tubular structure and between the tips or edges of the protuberances II and HA since that is the shortest and also the only unobstructed path between those electrodes.

The tubular structure i0 may be made for manufacturing convenience in two longitudinal sections IOA and 1B and the inner walls provided with a series of concavities, thereby forming the protuberances II and HA. The concavities of the respective members 10A and NB, however are not symmetrical with respect to each other but are spaced so that the protuberance of one of the members projects toward the concavity of the other member to provide the sinuous passageway 12 when assembled.

It has been found from experience that the outer surfaces of the usual expulsion type tube deteriorates rapidly due to exposure to weather, thus shortening the life of the tube unless protective coatings are applied at frequent intervals. To obviate this constant maintenance, I have discovered that by the use of plastics of suitable strength; insulating and weather resisting qualities, the life of the tube may be increased and the cost of maintenance reduced to a minimum.

Gases developed in gas chamber M are forced therefrom, by their own accumulation, and in their flow from the chamber are deflected, by the deflecting intermediate electrode I5, outwardly and into the first concavity of the tubular structure In from which it is directed by the first of the series of protuberances across the axis of the tubular structure or shortest arc path between the rim extremities of electordes i5 and I1, This process of causing the gases to flow in a zig-zag or sinuous course repetitiously and successively across the arc path is repeated by the successive staggered and alternate protuberances until the gases eventually discharge into the open air through the open electrode II. It will thus be seen that since the gases are caused to cross the arc path a number of times, non-ionized gas is positively introduced into an arc, flowing between the electrodes, each time the gases cross the axis of the passageway. A lengthening of the arc, tending to break the same, undoubtedly results from the intersecting gas flow.

Having described my invention in connection with an illustrated embodiment thereof, what I claim is:

1. An electric discharge and are interrupting device comprising the combination of a tubular construction of di-electric material capable of evolving non-ionized gases when subjected to the heat of an arc in close proximity therewith, inner wall portions of said tubular construction forming a gas chamber. and other inner wall portions thereof forming an unobstructed sinuous gasflow passageway extending from communication with said chamber and repetitiously and progressively intersecting the axis of said tubular construction, adjacent to-and-fro portions of said sinuous passageway merging along the axis of the tubular construction sufficiently to provide an unobstructed arc passageway axially of the tubular construction, an end electrode having an ex tremity immediately adjacent a wall of said gas chamber and another portion closing one end of said chamber, an auxiliary electrode intermediate said gas chamber and one end of said sinuous passageway in space discharge relation to said end electrode and having extremities immediately adjacent the walls, respectively, of said chamber and sinuous passageway, and another electrode in. space discharge relation to said auxiliary electrode and in communication with said passageways.

2. An electric discharge and are interrupting device comprising the combination of a tubular construction of di-electric material capable of evolving non-ionized gases when subjected to the heat of an arc in close proximity therewith, inner wall portions of said tubular construction forming a gas chamber and other inner wall portions thereof forming an unobstructed sinuous gasflow passageway extending from communication with said chamber and repetitiously and progressively intersecting the axis of said tubular construction, adjacent to-and-fro portions of said sinuous passageway merging along the axis of the tubular construction sufflciently to provide an unobstructed arc passageway axially of the tubular construction, an end electrode having an extremity immediately adjacent a wall of said gas chamber and another portion closing one end of said chamber, an auxiliary electrode intermediate said gas chamber and one end of said sinuous passageway in space discharge relation to said end electrode and having extremities immediately adjacent the walls, respectively, of said chamber and sinuous passageway, another electrode in space discharge relation to said auxiliary electrode and in communication with said passageways, and a housing of insulating material surrounding said tubular construction.

3. An electric discharge and arc interrupting device comprising the combination of a tubular construction of di-electric material capable of evolving non-ionized gases when subjected to the heat of an arc in close proximity therewith, inner wall portions of said tubular construction forming a gas chamber and other inner wall portions thereof forming an unobstructed sinuous gas-flow passageway extending from communication with said chamber and repetitiously intersecting the axis of said tubular construction, an end electrode closing one end of said chamber, an auxiliary electrode in space discharge relation to said end electrode and having extremities exposed to said chamber and sinuous passageway, and another electrode in space discharge relation to said auxiliary electrode and in communication with said passageways.

4. An electric discharge and arc interrupting device comprising the combination of a tubular construction of di-electric material capable of evolving non-ionized gases when subjected to the heat of an arc in close proximity therewith, inner wall portions of said tubular construction forming a gas chamber and other innerwall porconstruction of di-electric material capable oi evolving non-ionized gases when subjected to the heat of an arc in close proximity therewith, inner wall portions of said tubular construction forming a gas chamber and other inner wall portions thereof forming an unobstructed sinuous gas-flow passageway extending from communication with said chamber, an end electrode exposed to said gas chamber and closing one end thereof, another and electrode in communication with said sinuous passageway and in space discharge relation to said first mentioned end electrode, an auxiliary electrode intermediately of and in space discharge relation to said end electrodes and having extremities exposed to said chamber and sinuous passageway, and a housing formed of insulating plastic material surrounding said tubular construction.

6. An electric discharge and gas interrupting device comprising a combination of an elongated hollow member of insulating material closed at one end and open at the other, an end electrode carried by said member at the closed end of, yet exposed to, the hollow thereof, a vented electrode carried by said member in communication with the hollow thereof and in space discharge relation to said end electrode, an auxiliary electrode carried by said member intermediately of and in space discharge relation to said end and vented electrodes, a gas chamber formed by the inner walls of said member between said end and auxiliary electrodes, at least a portion of the inner walls of the gas chamber being capable of evolving non-ionized gases when subjected to the heat of an arc flowing between the end and auxiliary electrodes, the inner walls of said hollow member between said auxiliary and vented electrodes being provided with unsymmetrically opposed concavities cooperatively forming a sinuous gas-flow passageway between said gas chamber and the open end of said member, whereby an arc flowing substantially a straight path between the auxiliary and vented electrodes will be repetitiously intercepted by gases created within and forced from the gas chamber as they flow through the sinuous passageway to the exit of the device.

'7. An electric discharge and gas interrupting device comprising a combination of an elongated.

hollow member of insulating material closed at one end and open at the other, an end electrode carried by said member at the closed end of, yet exposed to, the hollow thereof, a vented electrode carried by said member in communication with the hollow thereof and in space discharg relation to said end electrode, an auxiliary electrode carried by said member intermediately of and in space discharge relation to said end and vented electrodes, a gas chamber formed by the inner walls of said member between said end and auxiliary electrodes, at least a portion of the inner walls of the gas chamber being capable of evolving hollow member of insulating material closed at.

one end and open at the other, an end electrode carried by said member at the closed end of, yet exposed to, th hollow thereof, a vented electrode carried by said member in communication with 5 the hollow thereof and in space discharge relation to said end electrode, an auxiliary electrode carried by said member intermediately of and in spaced discharge relation to said end and vented electrodes, a gas chamber formed by the inner walls of said member between said end and auxiliary electrodes, at least a portion of the inner walls of the gas chamber being capable of evolving non-ionized gases when subjected to the heat of an arc flowing between the end and auxiliary electrodes, the inner walls of said hollow member between said auxilairy and vented electrode being provided with unsymme'trically opposed concavities cooperatively forming a sinuous gas-flow passageway between said gas chamber and the open end of said member, to-and-fro portions of said sinuous passageway merging sufliciently along the axis of said member to form an axially disposed arc passageway.

9. An electric discharge and gas interrupting g5 device comprising acombination of an elongated hollow member of insulating material closed at one end and open at the other, an end electrode carried by said member at the closed end of, yet exposed to, the hollow thereof, a vented electrode carried by said member in communication with the hollow thereof and in spaced discharge relation to said end electrode, an auxiliary electrode carried by said member intermediately of and in space discharge relation to said end and vented 5 electrodes, '9, gas chamber formed by the inner walls of said member between said end and auxiliary electrodes, at least a portion of the inner walls of the gas chamber being capable of evolving non-ionized gases when subjected to the heat 40 of an arc flowing between the end and auxiliary electrodes, the inner walls of said hollow member between said auxiliary and vented electrodes being provided with unsymmetrically opposed protuberances formingv a gas-flow passageway repetitiously and progressively intercepting the axis of said member, and a housing formed of insulating plastic material surrounding said tubular construction whereby the device is rendered extremely capable of withstanding the deteriorating effects of exposure to weather.

10. An arc interrupter comprising a tubular insulating casing member, electrodes extending within said tubular insulating casing member to provide a spark gap space between said electrodes within said casing member, a separate interior tubular gas evolving member between said electrodes disposed within said tubular insulating casing member adjacent the walls thereof and between said electrodes, at least the ends of said electrodes which extend toward each other being beveled decliningly inward toward the axis of the electrode, whereby the shortest spark gaps between said electrodes are immediately adjacent the inner surface of said gas evolving material, means for venting the arcing space-of said spark gap, the construction and arrangement being such that an arc forms internally of said tubular insulating casing member rather than exteriorly thereof, and means for directing gases evolved from said material across said spark gap.

., GLENN B. ROLOSON. 

